City planners have rejected a modernist block of flats in Winchester, even though it was hailed as an excellent design.

The snag was the scheme would have meant the demolition of a large Victorian villa, Chestnut Mead, in Kingsgate Road.

Developers, Cavendish and Gloucester, wanted to knock down the villa and replace it with 12 two-bedroom flats. It is typical of a growing number of schemes in the city where developers are targeting large buildings in big gardens to replace with flats.

The Government wants developers to use land within towns rather than greenfield sites. But that puts them on a collision course with residents.

Neighbour, Anthony Boas, of Kingsgate Road, told planners: "The new design is completely out of keeping. It would look a totally alien invader in our landscape."

Councillor, John Beveridge, said the reason the St Cross and Winchester College area was a conservation area was the Victorian and Edwardian buildings. "If there are characteristics we are trying to preserve, we ought to take a firm line that we need to renovate (Chestnut Mead) so it can continue to contribute."

Chairman, David Atwell, said: "I think the vitality of conservation areas can be enhanced by contemporary architecture, mixed in with the old.

"This is a good proposal in the wrong place because what it is seeking to replace is worth keeping. It's not great architecture, but it is striking and distinctive."